update deskWorld News

Ben & Jerry’s sues Unilever for blocking ‘pro-Palestine’ action

The ice cream maker, which is known for its vocal left-wing activism, says its parent firm violates a contract signed after a previous legal fight.

Workers at the Ben and Jerry's factory near Kiryat Malakhi, near the Israeli city of Ashkelon, on July 21, 2021. Photo by Flash90.
Workers at the Ben and Jerry's factory near Kiryat Malakhi, near the Israeli city of Ashkelon, on July 21, 2021. Photo by Flash90.

Ice cream manufacturer Ben & Jerry’s on Wednesday sued its parent company, Unilever, for allegedly blocking its efforts to voice support for Palestinians in Gaza.

The lawsuit, which was filed in the United States, claims that Unilever had threatened to dismantle Ben & Jerry’s board and pursue legal action against its members over this issue, Reuters reported.

The lawsuit highlights ongoing tensions between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever that began in 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s announced it would no longer sell its products in Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria. Doing so ran contrary to Ben & Jerry’s values, the firm said. This decision prompted some investors to divest from Unilever.

Ben & Jerry’s has taken legal action against Unilever before, after it sold the brand’s business in Israel to a local licensee, allowing continued sales in Israel and Judea and Samaria. That lawsuit was settled in 2022.

In this latest legal action, Ben & Jerry’s accuses Unilever of violating terms of the confidential 2022 settlement. Under this agreement, Unilever is required to “respect and acknowledge the Ben & Jerry’s independent board’s primary responsibility over Ben & Jerry’s social mission,” according to the lawsuit.

“Ben & Jerry’s has on four occasions attempted to publicly speak out in support of peace and human rights,” the lawsuit states, “Unilever has silenced each of these efforts.”

Unilever did not immediately respond to requests for comment, Reuters reported.

Last year, a Manhattan judge dismissed another lawsuit against Unilever by investors who said that Ben & Jerry’s political involvement on behalf of the Palestinians was hurting Unilever, and that Unilever had failed to properly disclose details about this.

Ben & Jerry’s was founded in 1978 by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, two Jewish businessmen from Vermont. It is one of the most politically vocal and partisan financial enterprises of its size in the United States.

In addition to Palestinian nationalism, the company supports a host of left-wing causes, including abortion, gun control, immigration, ending the production of fossil fuel, transgenderism and “dismantling white supremacy” through “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” as the firm terms it on its website.

You have read 3 articles this month.
Register to receive full access to JNS.

Just before you scroll on...

Israel is at war. JNS is combating the stream of misinformation on Israel with real, honest and factual reporting. In order to deliver this in-depth, unbiased coverage of Israel and the Jewish world, we rely on readers like you. The support you provide allows our journalists to deliver the truth, free from bias and hidden agendas. Can we count on your support? Every contribution, big or small, helps JNS.org remain a trusted source of news you can rely on.

Become a part of our mission by donating today
Topics
Thank you. You are a loyal JNS Reader.
You have read more than 10 articles this month.
Please register for full access to continue reading and post comments.